Tick some of the thoughts and worldly patterns of assessment you get tempted towards?

Thoughts

Possible mindset

How to adjust your assessment with belief

I’m all on my own’☐

Orphan mentality

Believe God is your Father who is watching out for you (Ps 121).

‘They must have an ulterior motive’☐

Cynicism

Believe that God is right when he says it is more wise and loving to be open minded and hope the best of people (1Cor 13:7; Jas 3:17).

‘I don’t trust them’☐

Suspicion

Same as above, and also believe that your own heart is not trustworthy (Jer 17:9).

‘They’re out to get me’☐

Paranoia

Believe that God is your protector (Ps 27:1), and that your heart can mislead you about people (Jer 17:9).

‘People always treat me badly’ ☐

‘No-one cares’☐

Victim Mentality

Believe that God has also been bringing good things into your life (Eph 1:3).

‘I often clash with those in authority.’ ☐

Anti-authority

Believe that God has placed authority in my life for my good (Rom 13:1-3).

Circle which root sins you might need to repent of?

Pride, Lack of love, Foolishness, Rebellion, Self-centeredness

‘My group is the right group’☐

Partisan

Believe we all get stuff wrong, and need humility (1Pet 5:5). Believe that you can still learn things from others outside your group (1Cor 3:3-5, 21-22).

‘I’m not in the wrong! I’m in the right here!’ ☐

Defensiveness, Self-righteousness

Believe the Bible’s account that you are ungodly. Believe that its Jesus’ righteousness that makes you right, so you can admit your wrong, shame free (Rom 4:5).

‘They’re wrong about this, and its really important I correct them’☐

Being Correct, Self righteousness

Same as above. Believe also that you need to take the plank out of your eye first (Matt 7:1-5).

‘Its not my fault!’ ☐

Self-righteousness, blame shifting

Same as above. Believe, also that you have responsibilities God has given you (Gen 1:28; 2:5).

‘They’ve hurt me so they need to get it now’☐

Revenge

Trust that God will avenge (Rom 12:19-21). Trust that you have hurt God much more, and yet he forgave you (Rom 5:8). Trust that your sinful heart has probably committed the same root sins, even if in a different way (Rom 2:23; Jas 2:10).

‘They’re not living their life right’☐

Judge

Believe that there are many ways you don’t live right, but God gives you so much grace. Believe its not your job to judge others (Rom 14:4).

‘They haven’t done what I want them to do, so I’m angry at them.’ ☐

Works-based

Same as above. Believe that all our good works are tainted with sin (Is 64:6), and only acceptable to God because they are presented through Jesus Christ (1Pet 2:5).

‘They’re not giving me the respect I deserve’☐

Pride, entitlement

Same as above. Trust that in God the Father’s eyes you are clothed in Christ’s righteousness (Eph 1:4). What other people think of you is insignificant compared to that (Rom 8:31).

Circle which root sins you might need to repent of?

Pride, self-centeredness, self-righteousness

‘It will never work’☐

Faithless Pessimism

Have faith that God can do the impossible (Matt 17:20).

‘Everything will be ok’ ☐

Naïve Optimism

Believe that we live in a fallen world, and bad things happen (Gen 3:16-19).

‘I’m afraid that…’ ☐

Anxiety

Trust that God is your good shepherd, who works out everything for his glory and your good (Ps 23; Rom 8:28).

‘I just want good stuff now, not later!’ ☐

Short term thinking

Trust that you are building up treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19-21).

‘This is too hard’☐

Quitting

Trust that God is strongest in you in your weakness. Depend on his strength (2Cor 12:9-10).

‘I just can’t be bothered’☐

Laziness

Trust that there are bad consequences to inaction (Prov 6:10-11).

‘I’ve gotta have a life too though!’ ☐

Materialism

Same as above. Also, trust that it is better to give than receive (Acts 20:35).

About Me

I'm a husband and father of four. Church planting in a large London council estate (that's 'the projects' for US folks). Dealing with plenty of urban issues, as well as disability, trauma, abuse, grief, counselling, discipleship, and the Father Heart of God. I have a Doctor of Ministry degree from WTS where I focused on urban discipleship. Mainly I'm trying to learn to be more gospel-centered, and finding more and more that God and his glorious gospel is so much better than anything else in this world.